Mari, Mariyamma and
Marikamba, all denote a grama devata (village goddess) who is very popular in
most of the villages of South India. While most of the people believe that she
is the goddess Kali (created by goddess Parvathy to kill Raktha Bheeja) or the form
of Renuka Devi who was the mother of Parasurama, some people believe that she
is Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas and yet others believe that she is Vasugi,
the wife of Thiruvalluvar.

Mostly her form in the temple
is ferocious. She is considered as a goddess who would punish, if not
propitiated properly. Toddy and meat are offered to her during worship.
Invariably the priest in her temples does not belong to the Brahmin caste and
the agamas for her worship are very much different from the normal Hindu
temples. Most of her temples do not have buildings and in some cases, she is
represented simply by a granite stone in a village field. In some cases she is represented
only by the statue of her head with local villagers believing that the entire
village is her body. One of her most famous temple for her is in Samayapuram
near the town of Trichy in Tamil Nadu. This temple is built of stone and is
architecturally wonderful. There is also a very famous temple for her in the
city of Singapore. In many temples , there is a ritual walk on burning embers
by her devotees. These embers are never called “fire” but “Flowers” In some
other temples the women devotees carry a mud pot containing burning embers kept
over Margosa leaves in their bare hand during festivals to please her .In some
cases , after bath in the nearby river, women go to her temple dressed in a
saree like clothing made of Margosa leaves. Animal sacrifices are often carried
out, the preferred animals being goat and buffalo. After the sacrifice the meat
of these animals is carried round her temples in a bamboo basket. This was also
called Karagam and is the forerunner of Karagattam of the present day , which
is a dance balancing a pot on the head. This Another form of worship is for the
devotees to hang on a crane(Chedil) with a hook pierced in their body or tied
to the pole by cloth.

She is considered to be
responsible for the pox epidemics which used to wipe away entire villages in
the bye gone era. People believed that she did not tolerate any clinical
treatment for such diseases except worshipping her and caressing the eruptions
of the pox (called Muthu- pearls) with margosa leaves. People believed that in
a pox affected person, she has come in person and would not go away unless she
is propitiated. One such form of propitiation is the singing of “Mariamman
Thalattu” (Lullaby to mariamman) accompanied by fast playing of a small drum..
The song written in a folk music style does not obey any rules of Lullabies
except that it is aimed at soothing the Mariamman rather than the baby, The
language used is not literal Tamil but spoken Tamil. It is believed to be
ancient but references to instruments like Clarinet (a western musical
instrument), reference to the invasion of Marathas etc indicate that
additions to the lullaby took place as per the local times and the imaginative
approach of the singer.

The Lullaby starts with a
prayer to Ganesa and then prayer to Goddess Saraswathi. A request is made to
her for help in singing the story of Mari. This is followed by the Lullaby.
Though not written in the Stotra style, the lullaby sings praise of Goddess
Mari, mentions her various forms, mentions her companions, mentions the acts of
devotees for getting her favour, contains in various places of her worship,
prayer to her to remove the small pox eruptions from the body etc. More than
being poetic , it clearly brings out the utter devotion and the colossal fear
in the mind of her devotees. Several references to Puranic gods are made. She
in some places is referred to as the sister of Lord Krishna (the girl who was
born to Yasoda, at the same time when lord Krishna was born to Devaki) , there
is reference to the yantras in the body, to Sri Chakra worship, to several
village gods of Tamil Nadu and so on. There is also mention of her interaction
with several Gods of the Vedas and Puranas.

Oh mother , oh Parvathi who is the meaning of
Panchakshara(namasivaya),

That original parameshwari who was within the hexagon,

That happy pearl mari who is the meaning of the eight
letters,

Nayagiye mari muthe, Naranar
thangayare,

Iymbathoshagiye, aadhi shivan
deviyare,

Aadhi shivan deviyare, ammai
muthu mariyare,

Perulaga rakshagiye, perumaludan
pirappe,

Perumaludan pirandu , perulagai
aandavale,

Aaynudan piranthu ammai muthay
nindravale,

Thirukonathil ullirukkum
thrirupura saundariye,

Aaradhara porule, abhisheka
pathiniye,

Mooladhara porule mun piranda
devathaye,

Thaye durandariye sarva loka
sundariye,

Pathiriyal thaan thadavi para
muthai thaan irakkum,

Veppilayal thaan thadavi
melliyare thaanirakkum,

Oh lady who rules , Oh Mari who is a pearl, Oh sister of
Narayana,

Oh Goddess of fifty one alphabets, Oh consort of primeval
Shiva,

Oh consort of Primeval Shiva, Oh Mari who is the pearl of
pox,

Oh mother who protects the world, Oh sister of Lord
Vishnu,

Oh mother who was born with Vishnu and ruled the world,

Oh mother who was born with the cowherd and who stood as
the pearl of the pox,

Oh Tripura Sundari who is inside the triangle,

Oh mother who is made of six basic things, Oh wife who is
anointed,

Oh mother who is in Mooladhara, Oh goddess who was born
before,

Oh mother oh destroyer of evil, Oh goddess of all worlds,

Please caress with Margosa leaf and reduce the heavy
pearls,

Please caress with margosa leaf and oh tender one reduce
them,

Meniyellam thaan kulira vilayadi
muthirakkum,

Irangirangu thayare , engalai
kappatthum amma,

Muthilu muthu mugathiludu mani
muthu,

Engum ni Marida ellarkku mari
muthu,

Pennay pirandu perulagai aala
vanday,

Perulagai aala vandai , pennarasi
mari muthe,

Nitham paramarikka nishturi nee
piranday,

Desam paramarikka deva kanni nee
piranday,

Kiliyethum nayagiye kili mozhi
thayare,

Nithiya kalyani neeli paranjothi,

Ammaniye parvathiye aani muthu
thayare,

Lokamellam muthalakkum loka
parameshwariye,

Vethi kodi parakka virudu pambai
thaan muzhanga,

Ekkalam oodhi vara engum kidu
kidenna,

Pancha varna dal virudhu pakkam
ellam choozhndu vara,

Please play all over the body, cool it and reduce the
pearls,

Please reduce and reduce and please save us,

Pearl within the pearl, That pearl which comes on the
face,

That Mari pearl which is filled every where,

You were born as a woman and came to rule this wide
world,

Came to rule this world, queen among women, Pearl who is Mari,

You strict one was born to rule daily,

You were born as the god maiden to rule over the world,

Oh leader who holds the parrot, Oh mother who speaks like
parrot,

Oh mother who is forever, Oh Blue one, Oh ethereal shine,

Oh lady, Oh Parvathi, Oh mother who is the like the best
quality pearl,

Oh Parameshwari of the world, who measures pearls all
over the world,

With victory flag flying, with the herald horn sounding,

With big shouts whistling, with every thing in the world
shaking,

With five coloured light on all sides,

Nada sura melam nattiyangal aadi
vara,

Thappattai melam thavin murasu
thaan muzhanga,

Thalangal oodhi vara kavi vanar
echarrikka,

Chinnangal oodhi vara chirappay
kodi pidikka,

Janda chilar pidikka thani murasu
than adikka,

Kodigal chilar pidikka
kokkarippar veera makkal,

Chamarangal thaan veesi
chandhippar veera makkal,

Thamarai poo chinnam aaravaaramay
muzhanga,

Mikka kavundaigalum mridangam
thaan mizhanga,

Nan gudiyum chudhiyum nandraga
oodhi vara,

Thamburu veenai thakka padi thaan
vasikka,

Pambai dithu para melam than
adhira,

Kenchettu vadhiyamum kilarnattu
vadhiyamum,

Kodi vathiyam puthithay kondu
vandhar un makkal,

Ithanai vathiyangal isaikindrar
parum amma,

Parthu kulirum amma pangana un
manatu,

Kandu kulirum amma kallana un
manathu,

Eppadi yagilumthan ezhaigalum
eedera,

Kan parum parum amma karana
saundariye,

With Nadahaswaram and dance all around you,

With Thappatai and Thavil making blaring sounds,

With beats making shrill sounds, With poets warning,

With symbols playing all over, With flags being held properly,

With some one holding the flag, with some people playing
single drums,

With some people holding the flags, with valorous ones
making victory sounds,

With some valorous ones fanning you with fans,

With Tharai making the big sound,

With many Kavundais and Mridangam making
sound,

With good snake charmer’s pipe and pipe being blown,

With Thamburu and Veenai playing properly,

With Pambai being beaten and Para melam
making huge sound,

With Kenchet and Clarinet , with flag instrument
brought newly by people,

Oh mother see your people are playing so many
instruments,

Please see and let your great mind get cooled,

Please see and enjoy and let your rock like mind get
cooled,

Please see all these things Oh beauty who causes,

So that these poor people will be redeemed,

Indiranakku oppayi vilangum
mariyare,

Kumathu azhagiyamma kolu mugathu
raja kanni,

Sakala kutham sakala pizhai
thayare nee poruppai,

Vanungukindra makkalukku vazhvu
migavalippai,

Omkara roopiyendru unnaye
thotharikka,

Pada veetil veethirukkum param
chothi thayare,

Aar arivar un mahimai , aani
muthu thayare,

Anda bhuvanamellam amma unai
thozhuvar,

Desangalellam deviyai thotharippar,

Ellukku ennai pol engum niraindha
shakthi,

Engum niraindavale ellorkkum
thayare,

Anchal endra asthamodu adiyar
thamai kakka,

Veppilayum kayyil vibhoothi
yeengum thoolidhamum,

Karuna kadaksham vaithu kaakum
magamayi undan,

Saranaravindamathai thandarulu
mari muthe,

Oh Mari who is similar to Indra,

You are the beauty of the holy pot, you are the princess
with the great face,

Oh mother please pardon all mistakes and all bad actions,

Please give good life to those who salute you,

People pray you as the one with the form of “Om “,

Oh flame like mother who sits in Pada veetu temple,

Who will know your power , mother who is the basic pearl,

Oh mother this earth and all planets would salute you,

All the countries , holy mother would recite your prayers,

You are the power everywhere like the oil within every
sesame,

Oh mother who is every where and who is the mother of
everyone,

You would protect your devotees and show your graceful
hand and say to them, “Do not fear”,

In your one hand you have margosa leaf and another a pot
with holy ash,

Oh Pearl of Mari Oh great mother,

Who protects just with sidelong merciful sight,

Please give us your lotus like feet to worship,

Un per ninaithal pilli pisasu
paranthodum amma,

Sooniyamum vaippum
suzhandralinthu odi vidum,

Pathala vanchanamum parandu
vidum un per ninaithal,

Sathakanni mathavve sangariye
manonmaniye,

Kargathil veethu irukkum kannanur
mari muthe,

Soola kapalamudan thuyya
damarugamum,

Omkara roopam amma oruvar
arivaro,

Makimai arivaro manidargal yavarum
than,

Adiyar thamai kakkum mandira
niranthariye,

Adiyargal cheydha pizhai
aachiyare nee poruppay,

Koyil adimai amma kondadum
balakan thaan,

Sannidhi pillayai thaan tharkarum
pethavale,

Unnai allal very thuni oruvarayum
kanom amma,

Varunduvar pangil valamay kudi
iruppai,

Pavadai kkari amma parapariye
angu kanne,

Unnugindra devathaigal,
uduthugindra devathaigal,

Kattu patta devathaigal ,
karkkindra devathaigal,

Inda manayidathil irundu unnum
devathigal,

Sambrani dhoopathirkku utpatta
devathaigal,

Anaivorum vandirundu adiyorai
karka vendum,

If one remembers your name ghosts and devils will run
away,

Evil magic and black magical things would get turned and
run,

If we remember your name the evils of the under world
would fly away,

Oh mother of the seven virgins, Oh Sankari, Oh Manonmani,

Oh Pearl mari who sits on the pot at Kannanur,

Do people realize your form of “Om”,

Which carries the spear, skull and the big drum,

Do all the people ever realize your greatness,

Oh mother of permanent charms who protects your devotees,

Oh lady of the cowherds, please pardon the mistakes done
by these devotes,

This young boy is the slave to your temple,

And so mother please save this boy who resides in your
temple,

I do not find any other help except you any where,

Please live with happiness in the portions of those who
are sad,

Oh darling angu , oh mother who is dressed in pavadai,

Those gods who eat, those gods who dress,

Those gods under control, Those gods who protect,

And those gods who like the smoke of Myrrah,

All these Gods would protect us devotees,

Oraam padi thalamam Olai poo
mandapamam,

Olai poo mandapthil ugandu
koluvirundal,

Irandam padi thalamam erathina
simmathanamam,

Erathina simmadanathil irundu
aeasu purindal,

Moondram padi thalamam munai
magappu salaigalam,

Munai mugappu salaigalil mundi
koluvirundal,

Nangam padi thalama, nava rathina
mandapamaam,

Nava rathina mandapathil
nayagiyum vandu amarndal,

Iyndam padi thalamam , azhundhiya
simmadhanamam,

Azhundiya simmadanathil aayi
kolvirundal,

Araam padi thalamam alangara
chavadiyam,

Alangara chavadiyil aychiyarum
koluvirundal,

Ezham padithalamam ezhudhiya
simmadhanamam,

Ezhudhiya simmadhanthil
easwariyal koluvirundal,

Ettam padi thalamam visthara
medangalaa,

Visthara medaigalil vimaliyarum
vandu amarnthal,

Onpatham padithalamam oru mugamay
nindra shakthi,

Oru mugamayi nindra shakthi,
uthamiyum koluvirundal,

Patham padithalama, palingu maa
mandapamam,

Palingu ma mandapathil pathiniyal
koluvirundal,

It is the courtyard of first step., it is the stage made
of palm leaf,

In the stage made of palm leaf, She came and sat with
happiness,

In the courtyard of second step, there is a throne made
of jewels,

In the throne made of jewels she would rule her kingdom,

In the courtyard of third step, it is the pointed main roads,

In the pointed main roads, she was sitting earlier to
this,

In the courtyard of the fourth step, it is the hall made
of nine precious gems,

In the hall of nine precious gems, The lady who is the
leader came and sat,

In the courtyard of fifth step, it is a stable throne,

In the stable throne , the mother came and sat,

In the courtyard of sixth step, it is the decorated
street,

In the decorated street, the cowherd woman came and sat,

In the courtyard of seventh step, it is the throne which
is crafted,

In the throne which is crafted, the goddess came and sat,

In the courtyard of eighth step, It is the broad
platforms,

In the broad platforms, the clear one came and sat,

In the courtyard of ninth step, it is the single minded
concentrated power,

In the single minded concentrated power, the just holy
goddess sat,

In the courtyard of the tenth step, it is the great
crystal hall,

In the great crystal hall, sat goddess who is the margosa
leaf goddess.

Athaal koluvile aar aar kolu
virundar?

Iyngkaranum vallabhiayum anbay
koluviurndar,

Thondhi vayithonum thundubhiyum
koluvirundhar.

Kuzhanadi vadi velan kumaresar
thaan irundar,

Thogai mayilerum subramaniyar
kolu virundar,

Singa vahanamerum devi
koluvirundar,

Oor kakkum kali uthamiyal
koluvirundar,

Durgayodu kali thodarnthu
koluvirundar,

Valli evayanayudan magizhndu
koluvirundar,

Pachai malai nayagiyal
paingiliyal thanirundhal,

Poovai kurathiyarum porundhi
koluvirundal,

Who did all sit with mother majestically?

The five handed one sat with power and love,

The god with a big paunch and Dundhibhi sat with her,

The baby Kumaresa with Vel sat with her,

The Subramanya who rides on a peacock sat with her,

The holy goddess who rides on a lion sat with her,

The truthful Kali who guarded the homesteads sat with
her,

The Kali sat together with Durga continuously with her,

Valli sat there happily with Daivvayanai,

The parrot like goddess of the green mountain sat with
her,

The Poovai Kurathi sat along with her suitably,

Vaazhmuniyum chemmuniyum vandu
koluvirundar,

Kathan karuppanodu kattazhagar
veethu irundar,

Thotiyathu chinnanum , durai
magamum thaan irundhar,

Marumakkal ellam magizhndu
koluvirundar,

Kumarargal ellam koodi
koluvirundhar,

Aariya malayudan anaivarum
veethirundar,

Aayan perumal anantha sayanan
ennum,

Mayan peruman mangai manavalan,

Ivarai katha Aadhi nedu malum,

Panchavarai katha paralanthon
than irundar,

Kothavarai katha gopalan
thamirundar,

Muttayir kunju mukhamariya
Balagarai,

Pittu valargthedutha perumal
koluvirundhar,

Chettayir kkatha jaya ramar seethayarum,

Alamelu mangayamma hari ramar
seethayarum,

The Vazhmuni and Chemmuni came and sat with her,

The Kattazhagar(handsome one) sat along with Kathan and
Karuppan,

The Chinnan of Thottiyam and Duraimagan (Son of the
Landlord) sat with her,

All the nephews and son in laws sat with her,

All the lads together sat with her,

All people along with Aariya malai sat with her,

The cowherd Vishnu, the God who slept on Anantha,

The Vishnu who was an enchanter and he who married
Mangai,

The primeval great lord who protected the five pandavas,

The God who measured the world who protected the five
pandavas,

The Gopala who protected the kings,

And the god who saved the womb sat with her,

The Jayarama and Sitha who protected the chettai,

Alamelu manga, Hari Rama and Sita,

Mangayodu lakshmiyum magizhndu
kolu virundhar,

Sreedevi moodevi cherndu
koluviruundhar,

Panchalayakkiyathil padumai pol
vanduthitha,

Pathiniyal duropathayum para
koluvirundhar,

Thalara danam cheyyum Darmar
koluvirundar,

Vayu devan puthiranar madha veeman
koluvirundar,

Devendiran puthiranar ther
vijayan thamirundar,

Nagula sahadevar nalamay
koluvirundar,

Kanaga kuyilazhagar kattazhagar
veethu irundar,

Ivarkaludan koodi anbay
koluvirundar,

Pattatharasi paingili subahrayum,

Ayan sodhariyal aaranangu veethirundal,

Nalla thangal , veera thangal
nalla sangothiyammal,

Arthamulla sundariyal aaranangu
vethu irundal,

Malayannum thaan amarndha mari
koluvirundal,

Kai soolam kapparayum kayyir
kapalamudan,

Pachelumbu thindral paal
ozhugumendru cholli ,

Chuttelumbu thindravale , sudalai
vanam kathavale,

Akkalum thangayum iyndu irandezhu
perum,

Iyndu irandezhuperum ange
koluvirundar.

Mangai and Lakshmi sat with her happily,

The Jyeshtadevi and Sridevi sat together along with her,

The virtuous Droupadhi who was born like a statue,

In he fire sacrifice of Panchala sat with her seeing
her,

The Dharma Puthra who was never tired of giving money sat
along with her,

The Bheemasena who was the son of windgod sat with her,

The arjuna of the chariot, the son of Devendra sat along
with her,

Nakula and Sahadeva sat well with her,

The Kattazhaga who was as pretty as the forest
nightingale sat with her,

All the five sat lovingly with her,

The parrot like beauty Subhadra who was their chief queen
sat with her,

The pretty lady who was the sister of the cowherd sat
along with her,

Nallathanga, Veerathanga and the good Sangothiyamman,

And the royal looking pretty maiden sat along with her,

The Mari who sat in the Malayannor sat along with her,

Along with Soolam and shield and with skull in the hand,

The Goddess who ate burned bones saying that,

If fresh bones are eaten, the milk will spill

Who guarded the cremation ground,

Elder and younger sister, five and two making seven
persons,

Five and two making seven persons, sat there along with
her.

Thangathu Pey pilli than perai
chonnavudan,

Angala easwariyum amarndu
koluvirundar,

Thol vinai neeki, suguna mathaialikkum
,

Ellai pidariyarum inge
koluvirundar,

Kavalargal thaan pugazha , kanaka
simmathanthil,

Kaval adhikari kattazhagi Veethu
irundal,

Inda mania mudal ezhu mania un
kaval,

Santhatham un kaval sadu guna
mariyare,

Kaval padanam amma kattazhagi
Mari muthe,

Kavalukkulle kalavu vara pogum
amma,

Parathe chavukkittu pathiramai
karum amma,

Theera vinaigalai thaan theekkum
parapariye,

Thazhum athigalai thaan tharkata
rakshiyamma,

Ezhu pidariyarum isaindu
koluvirundar,

Muthalu Ravuthan munaiyulla
sevagarum,

The Angala Easwari , by chanting whose name,

Devils and ghosts would not stay, sat there,

The Border Pidari who removed old sins,

And grant good blessings sat there,

The chief of guards Kattazhagi(Very pretty one)

Whose fame was sung by the guards sat there on a golden
throne,

You are going to guard seven houses from this house,

Oh peaceful cultured Mari, always on your guard,

Oh very pretty Gem mari , it is your turn to guard,

Thieves may enter the place guarded,

Guard them with the big whip carefully,

Oh Goddess who removes all sins which cannot be pardoned,

Oh Goddess who saved those towns which were sinking,

The seven Pidaris sat there with full consent,

Muthalu Ravuthan and several guards with sharp weapons,

Muthathil vandu munaindu
koluvirundar,

Poovadai Gangai yendru poorithu
kathirukkum,

Pavadai rayanum pakkam
kolvirundar,

Thakshiyilladha siva
sangariyalendru sollum,

Akshiyudan koluvil amarndu
koluvirundhar,

Devi thirukoluvil cherndu
koluvirundar,

Aayi thirukoluvil anaivarum
koluvirundar,

Mari koluvil mana
magizhchiyayirundaar,

Veeriya koulvil veethirundhar
ellarum,

Aalithu thaniundhar ammai
thirukkoluvil,

Paalithu thaan irundar
parapariyal thaan koluvil,

Koodi koluvirndar kombanayal
than koluvil,

Nadi koluvirundar naaraniyal
thaan koluvil,

Sandekam pokkiya sayuchiyam
adaiya,

Santhoshamaga thavamirundhar
ellorum,

Sat in the courtyard with great interest,

The Pavadai Rayan who thought that the dress with
flowers,

Is ganges sat on the sides there,

The Siva sankari who does not have pity for bad ones,

Sat along with them there to rule,

They all sat together in the temple of holy goddess,

They all sat together in the temple of the mother,

Mari sat there along with great happiness,

All people sat there in the show of valour,

The mother was sitting in the show with mercy,

The great Goddess was protective and sitting in her
show,

The very pretty one sat together with every one in the
show,

The Narayani came and sat in the show with her own wish,

Removing any doubt and looking forward for salvation,

All people happily meditated there.

Nadu thazhaikkavamma manilathor
thaan vazhi,

Madu thazhaikkavamma nallor migha
vazhi,

Pariluula aadavarum balagarum
mangayarum,

Aariyarum matharum yavargalum
thaan padikka,

Munnalil moothor mozhinda
thaalattai,

Innalil potra ezhutha ezhuthu
adanal ,

Achu koodathu adipar anegar idhu
varayil,

Uchidamayachil ithai yongi
padhipithar,

Katharum mathorum kalippay
padippatharkku,

Chor kuthamillamal sutha
prathiyayi,

Paril ullor ikkadhayai padithu
thozhudu etha,

Kathavarum mathavarum kalippadaya
vazhi,

Sankaranum sankarium aaru muganum
thaan vazhi,

Long live all those in earth so that country will grow,

Long live good people so that cattle wealth will improve,

This lullaby which has been sung by our ancestors.

Was composed and printed by some good people so that

It can be read by all the women, children, lasses,

High caste people, others and all the people,

In the letters of today , words fail to write the
praise,.

Those who are learned and others can read this lullaby,

Now without mistakes in letters and words,

All the people in this earth can salute and read this
great work

And let the learned and others long live with happiness,

Long live Lord Shiva , Goddess Parvathi and Lord
Subrahmanya,

Senganmal sriramar sethayarum
thaan vazhi,

Panchavargal anaivarum
paingiliyal duropadhayum

Alli subhdrayum anaivorum thaan
vazhi,

Muppthu mukkodi devargalum vazhi,

Chor periya some suriya agni
vazhi,

Narpathennayiram nalla munivar
thaan vazhi,

Karkkum garuda chithar
vidhyadhara thaan vazhi,

Chandiranum sooriyanum danavargal
thaan vazhi,

Indiranum devargalum ellorum
thaan vazhi,

Karpaga kaavum kamadhenuvum thaan
vazhi,

Parpala thevum panchaksharam
thaan vazhi,

Kathanodu veeran karuppan thaan
vazhi,

Sangili karuppan chappani thaan
vazhi,

Madan irulan vaduganum thaan
vaazhi.

Pavadai rayan pala devarum
vaazhi,

Let the red eyed Vishnu in the form of Rama and Sita
live long,

Long live Pandavas and their pretty wife Droupadhi,

Long live Queen Alli and Subhadra, and others,

Lon live the thirty three crore devas,

Long live the moon, sun and fire which are bigger than
words,

Long live the forty eight thousand good sages,

Long live that sage Garuda who protects us,

Long live the moon, sun and other devas,

Long live Indra, devas and every one,

Long live the wish giving tree and the Kamadhenu,

Long live different islands and the holy five letters,

Long live Kathan, veeran and Karuppan,

Long live Changili Karuppan and Chappani,

Long live Madan, irulan and Vadugan,

Long live Pavadai rayan and other gods,

Ikadai kettor ennalum thaan
vaazhi,

Perumayudan ketkum periyor miga
vazhi,

Oorengum keerthi petha uthamarum
thaan vazhi,

Parulagil ikkadai padithor miga
vazhi,

Nayagiyal than kadayai naal
thorum vasippar,

Paril puthira pakkiyam padaithu
miga vazhvare,

Mari thirukkadayai makizhndumay
kettorum,

Devi thirukkadayai deergamay
kettorum,

Padi padithorum, pakkiyathai than
peruvar,

Nadi thudipporum nar kadhiyai
than adaivar,

Aal pol thazhaithu arugu pol
verodi,

Moongil pol chutram musiyamal
vazhndiruppar,

Mangalam Mangalam mariyamman than
kadaiku,

Engum niraindha easwaikku
mangalamam.

(Sakala soubhagyangalayum
tharavalla , puthira pakkiyam kodukkum,

Narkadiyai tharum MAriyamman
Thalattu Mutrithu.)

Let those hear this story live forever,

Let the elders who hear this story with fame live long,

Let those great ones who are famous everywhere live for
long,

Let those who read this story on earth live long,

Those who read the story of the goddess daily,

Would live in this world blessed with wealth of children,

Those who hear the story of Mari with happiness,

Those who hear this story of goddess for long,

And those who sing and read this story will be blessed
with luck,

Those who pray using this story would attain salvation,

And live spreading like a banyan tree,

With roots spreading like grass,

And with crowd of relations like a bamboo plant.

Mangalam, Mangalam for the story of Mari,

Mangalam to he Goddess who is everywhere.

(This “Lullaby of mother mari”

Which can bless us with luck,

Bless us with children,

And lead us to salvation is complete.)

* An attempt to translate this Lullaby
was made by the inmates of Premananda Ashram of Tamil Nadu , but it is
incomplete. This unfinished translation can be viewed at
http://vrienden.pandora.be/mariamman/thalattu.htm .Please also note that the
transliteration is not that exact and you are requested to consult the Tamil
Original given in http://aaththigam.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post_15.html.
We are making attempt to improve the transliteration and once ready , it will
be replace this version.